Auxiliary tray supporting device



1953 J. J. ISELLA ET AL 2,627,354

AUXILIARY TRAY SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed April 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l 7INVENTORS we JOHN J [sum RS BY PH/L/P PABST wm m HTTORNEYS.

1953 J. J. lSELLA ETAL 2,627,354

AUXILIARY TRAY SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed April 28, 1950 3 Sheets- Sheet 2l7] J9? .55 43 45 23/ i 40 f7 4 INVENTORJ JOHN J [SELL/2 BY PH/L/P EPABST MW7-M ATTOR/VfY-S.

Feb. 3, 1953 J. J. [SELLA ETAL AUXILIARY TRAY SUPPORTING DEVICE FiledApril 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v lllllgfllll i l I s??? 73 72 INVENTORSJOHN J [SELL/4 y PHIL/P E PABsT,

MWYW

Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE John J. Isella, NorthHaven, and Philip F. Pabst, New Haven, Conn.

Application April 28, 1950, Serial No. 158,628

Ihis invention relates to an improved auxiliary tray supporting devicedesigned for association with a printing press capable of printing papersheets of considerable weight and surface area.

In the manufacture of foldin paper boxes, sheets of relatively thickpaper stock of considerable size are used to permit printing thereon andsubsequent cutting therefrom of box blanks in multiple.

Because of the weight of such large, thick sheets of stock and the quicksuccessivepiling or stacking thereof by the printing press at normalproduction speeds while the ink is still wet, the transfer of ink fromthe printed faces to the unprinted backs of the successive sheets-knownin the trade ofiset--is considerably more likely than in the printing ofthin, light weight paper of the same size. 7

The stacking of freshly printed sheets of paper boxboard directly fromthe press to a depth of more than three inches or so, is quite likely tocause offset sufficient to result in serious defacement of both sides ofa high percentage of the sheets.

It is, therefore, customary in the trade to use shallow trays in whichto receive small lots of freshly printed sheets as they come off thepress and to stack these trays, one on another, so that their sidewalls, and not the printed sheets in them, will bear all the weight overthat of each individual lot.

However, the height to which such trays can be stacked in sheetreceiving position at the delivery end of the press naturally islimited. So, when the limit is reached, it is necessary to stop thepress to permit removal of the accumulated stack of sheet filled traysand arrange for starting a new stack.

It is the general practice in the trade to support such sheet receivingtrays on a stacking apparatus which comprises a framework having avertically movable tray supporting platform. In general, the platformrests on horizontal bars hung from suspension chains each of which istrained over a sprocket mounted on a framework associated directly withthe delivery end of the printing press. The sprockets are manipulatedthrough a mechanism connected to a movin or reciprocating part of thepress and which operates to gradually lower the horizontal bars andplatform from initial raised starting position as the sheet deliveryprogresses.

When the press is placed in operation, an empty receiving tray is placedin position on the raised platform so as to receive the successiveprinted 7 Claims. (Cl. 2146) sheets as discharged from the press. Whenthis first tray has received a stack of printed sheets to the desireddepth, another empty tray is placed to rest on the side walls of thefirst tray, the chain supporting sprockets being automaticallymanipulated to lower the platform to maintain the second tray in sheetreceiving position. When the limit of such stacked trays have beenfilled with printed sheets, it is necessary to shut down the pressduring the interval required to remove the tray stacked platform fromthe supporting bars, insert another platform on the supporting bars,adjust the chains and inserted platform to raised starting position, andthereupon place the first tray of the second stack in position to befilled.

Quality printing can only be obtained when the press is operateduniformly at the speed for which the press is designed. It is alsodesirable to operate the press continuously at such uniform speed untilthe entire printing run has been completed, since valuable productiontime is lost when the press is shut down to remove the stacked traysfilled with the freshly printed sheets. Furthermore, sheets run throughthe press during the acceleration interval after each shutdown, areusually defective and must be discarded, resulting in further loss ofmaterial and output.

This invention is directed to the provision of an improved auxiliarytray supporting and stacking apparatus, which may be adjustablymanipulated to support a tray in sheet receiving position adjacent thedischarge end of the press in a manner so that printed sheets maycontinue to be discharged into a tray as supported by the improvedauxiliary supporting device during the interval required to remove aplatform of loaded trays,

and insert and raise another platform to initial,

starting position. This improved auxiliary tray supporting device thuspermits the press to be run continuously at efiicient uniform speeduntil the entire production run has been completed, resulting insubstantial increased production of high quality printed sheets, withoutthe loss of valuable time and materials which has heretofore necessarilyresulted from press shutdowns during the intervals of tray platformremoval, replacement and adjustment thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent asthe disclosure proceeds.

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a sideelevational view of the improved auxiliary tray supporting device shownin association with a conventional tray supporting and stackingapparatus of a power printing press.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view showing the improved auxiliary traysupporting device in retracted position, a series of stacked trays beingshown resting on the platform of the associated tray supportin andstacking apparatus, certain; parts being broken away to reveal certainstructural details.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the improved traysupporting device in. tray supporting position as viewed along line 3-3of Fig. 1, and with the associated tray collecting and stackingapparatus inoperative, the tray stacked platform thereof being shownresting on a truck by means of which the filled trays are transported.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3" of Fig.1 showing the platform of the improved tray collecting and stackingapparatus in raised position ready to support the tray upon retractionof the tray supporting bars of the auxiliary tray supporting device.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the improved auxiliary tray supportingdevice showing a tray supported thereby position to receive freshlyprinted sheets as discharged from the press.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the device partiallyin sectionsupporting a partly'filled tray.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device with traysupported thereon as the same would appear when viewed along thestaggered line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8' is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of one of theshock absorbers associated with the device as the same appears whenviewed in thedirection of the arrows 8-8 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the three way air'valve for controllingthe operation of the device.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings and thespecification.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the improvedauxiliary tray supportin de vice A is shown in association and inoperative combination with a conventional tray supporting and stackingapparatus B and arranged for the reception of freshly printed sheets asthey are delivered from a power printing press, as for example, a bedcylinder press C.

The conventional tray supporting and stacking apparatus B-as-illustratedin Figs. 1', 2, 3 and 4-, generally comprises a. vertically movable andremovable platform 30, on which the trays containing the printed sheetsare supported. The platform is mounted within the. confines of a. pairof front supporting legs 31 and a pair. of rear supporting legs 32,positioned adjacent the discharge end of. the printing press C. A wingbracket 33 is mounted on the upper endof each of the rear legs 32 and awing bracket 34 of somewhat modified construction is mounted on. the.upper end of each of the front legs 3|.

The rear wing brackets 33 and the front wing brackets 34' are connectedby a generally rectangular framework which comprises a pair of sideframing bars 35; each bar bein connected at the rear end thereof to anupright extension 36. of. the rear wing bracket 33; the front endthereof: being connected to an upright-extension 3! of the front wingbracket 34, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. The front wingbrackets 34 are inter-connected by means of a tubular framing member 38whose ends are suitably fixed to the front wing brackets 36. At the rearend of the conventional tray stacking mechanism B, a framing member 39is provided whose ends are suitably secured to the rear wing. brackets33, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2.

The tray supporting platform 30 is directly suspended from a pair ofrotatable shafts 46 as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. The rear end ofeach shaft40 is rotatably supported in a bearing portion4l which forms apart of the rear bracket 33', and the front end of each shaft 40 isrotatably supported in a bearing portion 42 associatedwith the frontwing bracket 34. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, eachshaft 46 has a pair of spaced chain sprockets 43 fixed thereto, eachsprocket having a platform suspension chain 44 trained thereover. Thetray supporting platform 30 rests upon a pair of spaced support bars 45Whose ends are connected to one end of each of the four suspensionchains 44. Thus the two platform supporting bars 45, connected to oneend of the four suspension chains 44', may be raised and lowered by arotative manipulation of the shafts 40, from which the chains aresuspended.

The platform 30 is vertically manipulated by means of: a manipulatingrod 46 which extends through the tubular framing member 38. Themanipulating rod 46 is provided with a threaded worm 4! at each endthereof, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2, and is suitablyjournalled for rotation within the journal portions 34 of the front wingbrackets 34. Each of the threaded worms 4'! is in mesh with a worm wheel48 fixed to one end of each platform suspension shaft 40, as shown moreparticularly in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus it will be appreciated that rotationof the manipulating rod 46 will operate to rotate the suspension shafts40 to raise and lower the platform 30 of the tray stacking apparatus B.

A hand wheel50 is fixed to one end of the ma, nipulating rod 46 to'provide manual means by which the platform may be raised and lowered.Automatic means, operatively connected to the manipulating rod 46 and toa. moving or reciprocating part of the printing press, is also providedto transmit incremental rotative movement to the manipulating'rod' 46 tothereby gradually and slowly lower-the platform 30 in accordance withthe-rate at which the printed sheets are discharged f-rom the deliverytapes 60 of the press into the successive-receiving trays.

This automatic'means as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 conventionally comprisesa ratchet wheel 5i fixed to one end of the manipulating rod 46. A handlever52 having a bearing portion 53 is journalled for oscillatingmovement on the projecting end of the manipulating rod 46. A ratchetpawl 54 pivoted on the hand lever 52 is designed to engage the teethof'the ratchet wheel 5|, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Oscillating movementof the hand lever 52 will thus operate to oscillate the pawl 54 andthereby transmit incremental rotative movement to the manipulating rod46. The hand lever 52 is operatively connected by means of a connectingrod 55 to a moving or reciprocating part (not shown) of the printingpress C.

Downward movement of the platform 30 may be halted by swinging the pawl54 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 5|. When desired, theconnecting rod 55 may be disconnected from the hand lever 52 to permitmanual rotation of the manipulating rod 46 by the hand wheel 58, therebyefiecting corresponding manual lowering of the tray supporting platform30. When the pawl 54 is swung out of engagement with the ratchet wheel5|, the hand wheel 50 may also be ultilized to manually raise the traysupporting platform 36 to initial starting position as shown in Fig. 4.

The improved auxiliary tray supporting device A constructed inaccordance with this invention, comprises a pair of spaced traysupporting bars I which may be angle-shaped in cross-section to presenta horizontal leg I and a vertical leg I". As shown in Fig. 5, the traysupporting bars I are adjustably mounted to support the initial tray atherebetween in a convenient position to receive the freshly printedsheets as they are discharged from the printing press C.

Each tray supporting bar I is adjustably and movably supported from aside bar 2 extending parallel thereto. Each side bar 2 is removably andadjustably supported at each end thereof to the framing bar 39 and tothe tubular framing member 38 of the stacking apparatus B as illustratedin Figs. 5, 6 and '7 by a clamp bracket 3 having an extended arm portion4 each provided with a pair of elongated bolt holes 5 designed toadiustably receive a pair of bolts 6. Each end of each side bar 2 isprovided with a pair of threaded bolt holes which receive the threadedends of the bolts 6, thereby providing adjustable supporting means forthe side bars 2 as illus- I trated in Figs. 5 and 6.

Each tray supporting bar I is also adl'ustably supported for horizontalmovement from the adjacent side. bar 2 by means of a pair of sturdyhorizontally extending stub pins '3. Each stub pin 1 extends through asupport collar 8 which is fixed to the adjacent side bar 2 in a mannerso that the stub pin I may slide therein. The inner end of each stub pin1 is connected to a support plate 9 which is fixed to the vertical legI" of the adjacent tray supporting bar I. As thus mounted, it will beappreciated that the paired tray supporting bars I may be movedhorizontally in a manner to vary the distance between them and thus toaccommodate trays of varying widths, and additionally to permitretracted separation of the bars as may be required to permit the trayor to move downwardly between the horizontal legs I' of the bars onwhich the initial tray 0, is normally supported. To limit the inwardadjustment of the tray supporting bars I, a stop cushioning disc I maybe secured to the outer end of each stud pin I as by a screw I2 as shownin Figs. and '7. The rubber washer II mounted on the inner face of thestop disc Ill cushions the shock when the tray supporting bars I reachmaximum inward adlustment.

Means are provided for conveniently manipulating the tray supportingbars I in unison and to move them inwardly towards each other to therequired degree to conveniently support the tray 0. on the horizontallegs I thereof as shown in Fig. 3, and to retract the tray supportingbars sufliciently to permit the tray to pass between the horizontal legsI' of the bars when the platform of the tray stacking mechanism has beenbrought to raised position to support the same, as shown in Figs, 3 and4. The means for thus manipulating the tray supporting bars I in unisonmay comprise a three way air valve I3 secured as by clamp I l to thefront tubular framing member 38, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The three Way air valve I3 operates in conjunction with a pair of barmanipulators I5 designed to uniformly manipulate the tray supportingbars I for horizontal movement. Each tray supporting bar I is providedwith a bar manipulator I5 fixed to the approximate midsection of theadjacent side bar 2 as shown in Fig. 5. Each bar manipulator I5 maycomprise an air cylinder IE capped at each end thereof by suitable capsI i and I8 between which a piston head it is designed to reciprocate.The piston head I9 has a piston rod Iii secured to and extending throughpacking glands Ill and I8 forming a part of the caps I1 and I8. Thepiston rod I9 extends through the side bar 2 as illustrated in Fig. 5,and the inner end thereof is provided with a knuckle cap to asillustrated in Fig. '7 which is hingedly connected as by pin 2! to anattaching plate 22 secured to the exterior face of the vertical leg i ofthe adjacent tray supported bar I. It will be appreciated that movementor the piston is will impart a corresponding movement to its associatedtray supporting bar I.

The three way air valve it as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 9 isprovided with an air intake 23 which is connected to a high pressure airsupply line 26 which supplies the power for operating the auxiliary traysupporting device. The high pressure air introduced into the three wayair valve i8 be directed to either one of the two outlets to or 23depending upon the position of the air control handle 27.

Each bar manipulator I5 is provided with a pair of ports 28 and 2s. Port28 is located adjacent to cap ii and provides means for introducing airinto the forward end of the air cylinder is of the bar manipulator iii.Port 29 is located adjacent the cap I8 and provides means forintroducing air into the rear end of the cylinder IS. The ports 28 and29 are connected to the ports 25 and 28 of the air valve i3 by air lines25' and When the high pressure air is introduced into the port 28 itwill move the piston head It to the rear of the cylinder i5, and movepiston head to impart a corresponding movement to its associated traysupporting bar I. When high pressure air is introduced into the port 29it will move the piston head forwardly in the cylinder it to impart acorresponding movement to the tray supporting bar I in the oppositedirection.

'The air control handle 2? of the three way air valve I3 may bemaintained in either of three positions as shown in 9, namely a trayholding position, a neutral position or a tray release position. Whenthe air control handle 27 is in neutral position, air does not flowthrough the valve I and tray supporting bars I are maintained in staticposition. When it is desired to manipulate the tray supporting bars Iinto tray supporting position, the operator swings the air controlhandle 2'; to tray holding position to allow compressed air to flowthrough the threeway air valve it through outlet 26, through air line26' and into the port 29 thereby introducing high pressure air to theair cylinder IS in a manner to move the piston IQ inwardly and adjusttray supported bars I to tray holding position. As the piston 89 movesinwardly, air accumulated in the forward parts of the air cylinder It isexhausted through exhaust port 23 of the air valve. When the operatordesires to retract the tray supporting bars I, the control handle 2? isma- 7 ni'pulatecl torelease pos-ition shown in- Fi'gz- 9 to directthehighpressure air through the: air valve l3, through air outlet 25 andinto port's ii of the air cylinder -6, thereby moving the piston I-9rearwardly to retract the tray supporting. bars I.

The action ofthe high pressure air operates to almost instantaneouslyadvance or retract the tray'supporti'ng bars I' in response tothe-manipulation of the-air control handle 2-). Cushioning means l6: asshown in Figs. and 8 may be provided to cushion the retracting movementof the tray supporting bars l-'. The cushioning means it may comprise arubber or felt pa d I! which is setinto a holder l2- and fixedv to theadjacent side bar 2 as by screws 13 A pair of cushioning studs-1U may besecured to each side bar.

It will thus be appreciated that by a simple manipulation of the aircontrol handle 21' the spaced tray supporting bars I may be manipulated.in a horizontalplane so as to move the bars sufficiently close togetherto properly support a selected tray on the horizontal legs i thereof as:shown in Figs. 3 and 4', or to separate the bars ifrom supportingengagement with the tray, as to thereby permit the tray to be moved downwardlythereb'etween when the platform associated with the tray stackingmechanism B has been. raised into supporting position beneath. the traya; as shown. in Fig. 2.

It will be noted by referring more particularly to-Fig. 5, that the sidebars 2 of the auxiliary tray supporting device may also be adjusted toany desired spaced relationship to accommodate a series of trays ofgreater or lesser Width. This adjustability is effected by providing theclamp brackets 3' with clamp bolts and associated wing nuts 3, whichpermit sliding adjustment of the clamp brackets 3 along the framingmembers 38 and 39 of the tray stacking mechanism B. Provision is thusmade for any desired spacing adjustment of the tray supporting bars i toaccommodate various sizes of trays normally used in the printing ofsheets from which carton blanks are to b'e cut. This improved traysupporting device isthus advantageously constructed to form an integraloperating part of the conventional tray stacking mechanism used inassociation with printing presses designed to print the relative l'argeand heavy sheets from which carton blanks are tobe out.

In utilizing this improved auxiliary tray supporting device inconjunction with the stacking mechanism B, the tray supporting platform35 israised toinitial starting'position at the beginning of the printingrun, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The operator of the press manipulates thetray supporting bars I to open or tray clearing position, by turning theair control handle 27 to the retracted-position as indicated in Fig. 9.The initial traya is then placed to rest on the tray supporting platform33. When the initial tray a has been filled with printed sheets to thedesired depth, the operator places an empty tray 17 directly over thefilled tray a to rest on the side walls of the filled tray a. As thesheet printing progresses, successive trays c, d', e, f, g and h arestacked one upon the other, and the platform 38 and stacked trayssupported thereon are incrementally lowered by the p-ress oscillatedlever 52 as heretofore explained.

When a convenient stack of filled trayshas been assembled on theplatform 3:), the operator manipulates the hand wheel 59 to lower thetopmost trayh' a suflicient distance toclear the horizontal 8 legs I otthe tray supporting bars if inwhi'ch. post;- tion the printed sheetswill continue to discharge into the'top tray It. The operatorsubstantially simultaneously manipulates the air contror handle 2-1 tomove the tray supporting barsv I: into tray retaining position. An emptytray 0. is: then positioned to rest on the horizontal legs I of the:tray supporting bars" I, and the succeeding.

printed. sheets are then discharged into the tray 11 thereby permittingthe printing run to continue without interruption.

The operator: can then leisurely further manipulate: the hand. wheel 50to lower the platform 39 to resting; position on the conveying truck Dwhich has. previously been moved into: position under the platform 31'].The tray-stacked. platfornr resting on. the truck D is then releasedfrom: the horizontal bars whichnormally support the platform; ThisL's-accomplished by'sl'ackening the suspension chains 44 throughmanipulationoithe hand wheel 50, so as to permit the platform supportingbars as to be swung laterally from under the platform, or bydisconnecting: the chains from the platform supporting bars 45 to permitthe bars todrop to the floor. The tray loadedtruck can then be rolled tothat section of the-plant where theblank cutting: and creasing. machineis located. 7

A second platform can then be placed in position on the platformsupporting bars 45 beneath the-meanwhile filling tray a supported uponthe bars I of the auxiliary tray supporting device A. Hand wheel ismanipulated to-raisethe second platform 30 into' lifting abutmentagainst the bottom of the filling tray a as shown: in Fig. 4. The aircontrol handle 21 can then be manipulated to retract the tray supportingbars I of theauxiliary tray supporting device A to permit the tray a torest upon. the platform 30' and be incrementally lowered therewith asthe printing run progresses.

By theiuseof this improved auxiliary-tray supporting. deviceincooperative association withthe conventional tray supporting andstacking apparatus, continuousand uninterrupted printingproductionmaybemaintained for the entire printing run.. Substantialsavings in labor and time is thereby advantageously effected and costlyinterruptions of. the printing run which have heretofore. been necessaryto. permit removal and replacementof the stackedtrays is entirelyavoided. Additionally, important savings-in valuable paper stock.andprinting ink is also effected, with the further assurance that theprinting press can be continuously operated during. the entireproduction. runat maximum. speed. and: efiiciency for high qualitywork.v

While certain. novel features-of this. invention have been disclosedherein, and are pointed out in the claims, it. will be. understood thatvarious omissions,.substitutions and changesmay be made by those skilledin the art without departingfrom the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An auxiliary tray supporting device for stacki'ng'apparatus designedfor association with a printing press and including a framework having aremovable tray supporting platform with.

nect'ed to the apparatus framework, a pair of tray supporting barspositioned between said side frame members designed to support a tray inposition to receive printed sheets as discharged from the press,adjustable means operatively connected to each of said bars and theadjacent side frame member supporting the bar for movement in ahorizontal plane, said supporting means including a plurality of spacedstud pins having one end secured to the adjacent tray supporting bar,pneumatic means for horizontally manipulating said tray supported barsin unison to move said bars towards each other into tray supportingposition and to retract said bars out of tray supporting position tothereby permit the tray to pass downwardly between said bars when saidplatform has been elevated to support the tray, and resilient meansconnected to each of said side frame members for cushioning theretracting movement of the adjacent tray supporting bar.

2. In a combination with a tray supporting and stacking apparatusdesigned for association with a printing press and comprising aframework having a movable tray supporting platform with means forlowering and elevating the platform, of an auxiliary tray supportingdevice designed to support a tray when the tray loaded platform of theapparatus is removed and replaced, said device including a pair ofspaced side frame member positioned outside of the vertical plane ofmovement of said platform and connected to the apparatus framework, apair of tray supporting bars positioned between said side frame membersdesigned to support a tray in position to receive printed sheets asdischarged from the press, each of said bars having a horizontal traysupporting leg and a vertical leg, adjustable means operativelyconnected to the vertical leg of each of said bars and the adjacent sideframe member supporting the bar for movement in a horizontal plane,pneumatic means for horizontally manipulating said tray supported barsin unison to move said bars towards each other into tray supportingposition and to retract said bar out of tray supporting position tothereby permit the tray to pass downwardly between said bars when saidplatform has been elevated to support the tray, and resilient buffersassociated with each of said side frame members for cushioning theinward movement and the retracting movement of each of said traysupporting bars.

3. In combination with a tray supporting and stacking apparatus designedfor association with a printing press and comprising a frame work havinga movable tray supporting platform with means for lowering and elevatingthe platform, of an auxiliary tray supporting device designed to supporta tray when the tray loaded platform of the apparatus removed andreplaced, said device including a pair of spaced side frame memberspositioned outside of the vertical plane of movement of said platformand connected to the apparatus framework, a pair of tray support ingbars positioned between said side frame members designed to support atray in position to receive printed sheets as discharged from the press,each of said bars having a horizontal tray supporting leg and a verticalleg, adjustable means operatively connected to the vertical leg of eachof said bars and the adjacent side frame member supporting the formovement in a horizontal plane, said supporting means including aplurality of spaced stud pins having one end thereof secured to theadjacent traysupporting bar, a collar slidably receiving each of saidstud pins secured to the adjacent side frame memher, and a resilienthead secured to the other end of each of said stud pins designed toresilient- 1y abut the adjacent end of the associated collar and therebycushion the inward movement of the adjacent tray supporting bar,pneumatic means for horizontally manipulating said tray supported barsin unison to move said bars towards each other into tray supportingposition and to retract said bars out of tray supporting position tothereby permit the tray to pass downwardly between said bars when saidplatform has been elevated to support the tray, and resilient buffersassociated with each of said side frame members for cushioning theretracting movement of the adjacent tray supporting bar.

4. In combination with a tray supporting and stacking apparatus designedfor association with a printing press and comprising a framework'havinga removable tray supporting platform with means for lowering andelevating the platform, of an auxiliary tray supporting device supportedby the framework of said apparatus, said device including a pair ofspaced side frame members positioned outside the plane of movement ofsaid platform and connected to the apparatus framework, a pair of traysupporting bars located bemanipulating said paired tray supporting barsin' unison to move said bars towards each other into tray supportingposition and to retract said bars out of tray supporting position tothereby permit said tray to pas downwardly between said bars when saidplatform has been elevated to support the tray, said manipulating meansincluding a pneumatic device mounted on each of said side frame membersand operatively connected to the adjacent tray supporting bar, and aircontrol means operatively connected to both of saidpneumatic devices formanually controlling the manipulation of said tray supporting bars inunison into tray supporting position and alternatively into retractedposition to thereby permit a tray supported on the platform to passdownwardly between said bars.

5. In combination with a tray supporting and stacking apparatus designedfor association with a printing press and comprising a framework havinga removable tray supporting platform with means for lowering andelevating the platform, of an auxiliary tray supporting device supportedby the framework of said apparatus, said device including a pair ofspaced side frame members positioned outside the plane of movement ofsaid platform and connected to the apparatus framework, a pair of traysupporting bars located between said side frame members and designed tosupport atray in position to receive the printed sheets as dischargedfrom the press, adjustable ,means for supporting said tray supportingbars from said side frame members for movement in a horizontal plane,and means for horizontally manipulating said paired tray supporting barsin unison to move said bars towards each other into tray supportingposition and to retract said bars out of tray supporting position tothereby permit said tray to pass downwardly between said bars when saidplatform has been elevated to support the tray, said manipulating meansincluding an air cylinder mounted on each of said side frame members, apiston head designed to reciprocatein each of said cylinders and havinga piston rod connected to the adjacent tray-supporting bar,

andan air control valve operatively connected to both of said aircylinders for manually controlling the manipulation of said traysupporting bars in unison into tray supporting position andalternatively into retracted position to thereby permit a tray supportedon the platform to pass downwardly between said bars.

6 In combination with atray supporting and stacking apparatus designedfor association with a printing press and comprising. a framework havinga removable tray supporting platform with means for lowering andelevating the platform, of an auxiliary tray supporting device supportedby the framework of said apparatus, said device including a pairofspacedside framemembers positioned outside the plane of movement ofsaid platform and adjustably. connected to the apparatus framework, apair of tray supporting bars located between said side frame members anddesigned to support a tray in position to. res

ceive the printed sheets as discharged from the.

press, means for supporting said tray supporting bars-from saidsideframe members for movement ina horizontal plane, and means forhorizontally manipulating said paired tray supporting bars in unison tomove said bars towards each. other into tray supporting position tothereby permit said tray to pass downwardly between said bars when saidplatform has been elevated to support the tray, said manipulating meansincluding an air cylinder mounted on each of said side frame members, apiston head designed to reciprocatein each of said cylinders and havinga piston rod flexibly connected to the approximate mid-section of theadjacent supporting bar, a three-way air valve, and air lines connectingsaid control valve to each of said cylinders, said: air valve having amanually operated control handle for controlling the manipulation ofsaid tray supporting bars in unison into tray supporting position andalternatively into retracted position to Number Name Date.

674,262 Duncan May 14, 1901 700,238. Read n", May 20, 1902 804,312Hammer Nov. 14, 1905 1,646,067. Roberts Oct. 18, 1927 2,113,926 PierceApr. 12, 1938. 2,333,479 Graf Nov. 2, 1943 e e e m a ra or ed. on the pa f m:

topass downwardly between said bars.

'7, An; auxiliary tray supporting device designedfor association withthe tray supporting and stacking; apparatus of a printing press, saiddevice beingoperable to temporarily support a tray in position toreceive printed sheets from. the printing press during the interval thatthe tray loaded platform of the apparatus is removed and replaced, saiddevice including a pair of frame members spaced to permit movement ofthe platform therebetween, a pair of traysupporting bars positionedbetween said frame members, slidable means fixed to each of said framemembers and the adjacent tray supportingzbar operative to support thebar for horizontal movement, said slidablemeans including a plurality ofspaced stud pins having one end secured to the adjacent tray supportingbar and horizontal support collarsfor said pins, said collars beingsecured to REFERENCES CITED The-following references are ofrecord in thefile. of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

